How many times have you heard someone say (or have said yourself): “This food is terrible. Try it.”?

Well, that’s the impression we got when we came across a recent call for abstracts that included 25 pages of instructions explaining how to use their online submission system.

Think about the message that sends to potential submitters. How many are going to look forward to submitting an abstract when they’re being told—quite clearly—that not only is the first bite going to be hard to swallow, but that if they’re selected, the rest of the process is probably going to be just as bad?

No submission process should require reams of instructions. But that’s beside the point. The real point is this: Your call is often your first impression with potential submitters. Don’t waste it turning people off.